GR crime statistics show armed robberies up

GRAND RAPIDS -- Police Chief Kevin Belk today said he is concerned about an 8-percent increase in armed robberies last year.

Police have responded with detailed crime analysis and aggressive enforcement of weapons violations. Police have also worked with area business owners to deter robberies with alarm and surveillance systems.

Belk released 2007 crime statistics, which showed a 1.1-percent increase in serious crimes, but a 7.3 percent drop in lesser offenses, to the City Commission's Public Safety Committee. Belk was "very concerned" about violence, including armed robberies, and said too many guns are available on the street.

Last fall, the department began a crime-analysis program to show when and where crimes were occurring, which helps deploy officers and resources. The U.S. Department of Justice had awarded the city $329,000 to fight violent crime.

Belk said that a 22.1-percent increase in weapons violations showed that police have aggressively targeted those with firearms, which can prevent robberies. Last year, police reported 778 robberies, compared to 719 in 2006.